RICKY Muscat’s football friends had their own taste of rock stardom during a whirlwind visit to Sydney for Australian Idol.

“We got out of the cab wearing Ricky t-shirts and there were all these crazy teenage girls wanting our autographs,” said friend Adam Brookshore, who is leading the campaign to keep Ricky in the Top 10.

“We felt like rock stars.”

The four boys were fresh from their premiership win with the Glenorden Hawks and keen to deliver Ricky’s medal, and support from home.

As one of Ricky’s best mates, Mr Brookshore organised t-shirts, posters, magnets, banners and a few “buckets on the bar” at the footy club – with all proceeds going straight into voting to keep Ricky in the competition.

Glenorden Hawks president David Cassano said Ricky was an excellent player and would have played in the seniors’ game had he not been committed to Australian Idol.

The winning medal was presented to the 22-year-old on stage during the show on Sunday 17 September.

Mr Cassano said the club hired Ricky’s band for a gig at the football club two years ago for the midyear ball.

“He was a superstar back then too,” Mr Cassano beamed.

During the one-night stay, the guys managed to hang out with Ricky at the studio before the show and meet some of the other contestants.

After the show, the boys managed a few hours with their friend for “gossip and dirt” over a midnight feast at Hungry Jacks.

Then Ricky went back to his house to rest before an early breakfast radio interview, and the boys went to their hotel.

“As we left we said we wonder if we’ll see him again,” Mr Brookshore said.

“Because everyone wants to see Ricky and he only gets four tickets to each show.”

But friends won’t have to fight with Ricky’s mum, Doris McCullen, at least to see the Monday night elimination programs.

Mrs McCullen said she was too nervous to watch the Monday night shows from home, let alone live in Sydney.

“I can’t take it – it’s too nerve racking,” she said.

She said her son was “coping OK – and putting everything into it”.

“He sees each week as a bonus.”

She said a support network had started up this week at The Club in Ballarat Rd, Caroline Springs, where supporters could gather to watch the shows.


http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/26224